Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60: 1-6;
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6;
Mathew 2: 1-12;
On this feast of the Epiphany - manifestation - the birth of Jesus becomes a public event through the three wise men as they came to do homage to the infant King of the Jews.
The dark shadow of King Herod comes into the drama. Jewish himself, but neither faithful nor religious, perhaps coarsened by his contact with the cynical and often brutal Roman world, and like most political leaders, his only objective was to stay and enjoy the trappings of power. This had made him so self-obsessed that he feared the birth of a child as some kind of a threat to his own security and throne.
Herod's advisers, the religious and political elite, gather to assess the political situation and how to manage affairs so as not to rock the boat and keep the status quo. They appeared to know where the Messiah will be born, but don't appear to be very interested in when, as long as it doesn't upset their position or their work.
For those three travellers, their whole life was a journey, seeking answers to life's great questions, and all their searching and their studies finally bring them to Bethlehem and this new-born king.
While the shepherds kept the news of Jesus' birth to themselves, the wise men returned to their own country to spread the good news. Unfortunately, too many of us can be like the shepherds. We feel that broadcasting the faith may offend our neighbours, and so we miss the opportunity of sharing the Gospel message. Others see Christmas as Xmas, solely as an opportunity for profit, and their religion becomes one of selling Christmas card robins, cats, dogs, sleighs and Santas ... anything but the central figure whose birthday it is. Maybe even Herod would have sympathised with their attitude!
Pope Francis challenges us to share the joy of the Gospel with those whom we meet. The Epiphany invites us to find a new path and a new route as we begin this year. The Gospel message calls us to be more open to people who are fragile and vulnerable, people who are weak, poor and hurting. So let's pray for the ability to grow in love for each other, setting aside superficial differences, and learning to accept all whom we meet in the course of the year as our equals, people for whom the riches of the Gospel message are just as important, and just as available.